Ideas for transitioning to common core testing Many states and districts are transitioning from paper to online assessments under the Common Core State Standards. Lessons learned by schools furthest along in the process include taking advantage of features such as the ability to adapt the testing process to the regular school day and students' unique needs. Other best practices include building on available technology and resources, preparing staff, participating in pilot testing, and ensuring that even the youngest students have the technical skills to be successful with the tests. T.H.E. Journal magazine (exclusive preview for SmartBrief subscribers) (7/2013) | How teachers, students can use the iPad to create Using the Someday/Monday method, Justin Riech explores ways to use the iPad as a tool for creation in the classroom to improve teaching and learning. In this blog post, Reich, a fellow at Harvard's Berkman Center for Internet and Society and co-founder of EdTechTeacher, suggests asking students to take photos with their devices, using the images to cover the walls and then discussing their creations. KQED.org/Mind/Shift blog (7/22)
Other News | How rural school districts can support STEM education Many rural school districts face challenges as they look to foster science, technology, engineering and math education, writes Doug Haller, principal of Haller STEM Education Consulting. In this blog post, Haller writes that some rural districts lack computer technology and Internet access. He includes comments from Dawn Olson, superintendent of the Huerfano School District Re-1 in Colorado, who says providing more resources would make STEM education more equitable across districts. SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Education (7/23) Other News | Some states back off adoption of common core tests Georgia and Oklahoma have decided not to use common core assessments developed by the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers -- one of two consortia developing assessments based on the Common Core State Standards. The states say the fee -- $29.50 a student for both math and reading tests -- is too costly. While the tests are more expensive for some states, they will be cheaper for others such as Maryland, which currently spends $32 a student, according to a recent study. The Washington Post (tiered subscription model) (7/23)  | Want more education news?
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 | Mich. district to use social media to communicate A Michigan school district is beefing up its social media presence in an effort to better communicate with parents, who officials say are using various social media sites. Among other efforts, the Grand Blanc School District plans to establish accounts on Twitter, Facebook, Foursquare and Flickr, as well as make improvements to its website. Plans now call for the district to post school closings and other information on Facebook. MLive.com (Michigan) (free registration) (7/23)  |
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